Water-absorbing beads pose growing threat to children, new study highlights

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Over the past decade, water-absorbing beads, commonly found in children’s toys, home decorations, and gardening products, have emerged as a significant hazard for young children. These superabsorbent polymer (SAP) beads, which can expand up to 400 times their original size upon contact with liquid, have led to a rising number of life-threatening bowel obstructions, particularly in children under 5 years of age.

New research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition, held in Orlando from September 27 to October 1, sheds light on this growing issue. The study, “The Hidden Dangers: Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) Beads as an Increasing Cause of Bowel Obstruction in Children,” involved both a systematic review of existing cases and an innovative in vitro experiment aimed at shrinking expanded SAP beads to avoid surgical interventions.

According to senior author Bryanna Emr, MD, FACS, a pediatric surgeon, “Water beads can pose serious risks if ingested, including choking and bowel obstructions needing surgery. If you have young children, it’s best not to have these beads in the home.”

The study identified 88 patients across 46 studies who experienced bowel obstruction after ingesting water beads, in addition to a new case from the research institution. The majority of these patients were children around 14 months old, and girls accounted for 64% of the cases. Vomiting (92%) and abdominal distention (48%) were the most common symptoms. Despite conducting abdominal X-rays in 74% of cases, only 5.4% successfully visualized the beads. However, ultrasounds were much more effective, detecting the foreign object in 85.7% of cases.

The study also found that most bowel obstructions occurred in the jejunum (42%) or ileum (44%), and 84% of affected children required surgery. The average size of the beads removed during surgery was 33.7 mm, with complications occurring in 18.4% of cases. These complications frequently required additional surgeries to remove beads missed during the initial procedure. Additionally, 1 mortality was reported.

To reduce the need for surgical intervention, researchers conducted an in vitro experiment to explore methods for shrinking expanded SAP beads. The experiment grew the beads in a simulated intestinal environment and tested different liquids with varying osmolarities. The results were promising: GoLYTELY, a hyperosmolar bowel preparation solution, reduced the size of the beads by 37% within 12 hours. Other liquids, including Gastrografin, prune juice, and acetylcysteine, were also tested for their potential to shrink the beads.

“Water beads are a growing problem for young children, and there needs to be more awareness about the risks if swallowed,” Emr said. “Despite the recall of some children’s toys containing water beads, they remain widely available in home decorations, gardening supplies, and craft materials. They are soft-textured and often in bright colors, making them easy to swallow and attractive to young children.”

The increasing number of cases highlights the need for better education about the dangers posed by water-absorbing beads. The study concludes that, in addition to raising awareness, further research should focus on refining non-surgical treatments using hyperosmolar agents to reduce the size of the beads and potentially avoid invasive procedures altogether.

Reference:

Water-absorbing beads pose increasing hazard for young children; researchers test methods on how to shrink them. Eurekalert. September 27, 2024. Accessed September 29, 2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1058539